Chapter Text
There rule two kings, King Kurpika and King Leorio, a benevolent and caring duo. Adored and loved by all. They raised and tended to their beloved son, Killua.
Everyone was healthy and well until their treasured son grew fatally ill. There was only one antidote, the sun drop flower. A ravish golden flower that bloomed on the decrepit soil of Pakodea. It held the ability to cure the sick and injured, causing many to seek out its power.
Soldiers and citizens ventured out into the woods to find the said flower, hoping and praying for the miracle to appear. After many days of searching, they stumbled upon the alluring flower, admiring it from a distance. They got to work, carrying out the flower to the carriage, securely it tightly to each side. Once they got back, they immediately brought it to the prince, wishing the magical flower to do its justice. And it did. The young boy was back and active, crying and whining as usual. It just so happened to be his birthday.
The only difference from the prince is that his silver curls faded into a luminous blond. The change would take time to accustom, but that didn’t stop the royal family from loving their little one.
The Kings proposed a banquet as a celebration of overcoming a frightening situation, along with a Dragon dive that’ll illuminate throughout the whole kingdom. It was an extraordinary ceremony; the food, the decoration, the morale. It was a day of contentment, pushing aside all your problems for the day—before that night arrived.
It was like any ordinary night—the sky came to rest—twinkling its fiery eyes. The potent music dimed down as the moon rose. The prince was escorted and tucked neatly to bed as his parents slept adjacent to him soundly. All was fine for that one moment. Then the moment ended.
A dark slender figure lurked in the shadows, watching the child with its black, penetrating eyes. Its long jet hair trailed behind the silhouette as it approached the crib. The figure mumbled a melody, and the child’s hair glowed brilliantly—awakening and provoking a cry.
Once the Kings had heard their child’s yelp, it was too late. The balcony was left wide open, and they can only catch a glimpse of the figure’s robe as they both disappeared into the eerie night.
The guards looked, searched, but the prince was nowhere in sight. But deep in the forest, in a secret tower, the person raised the prince as their sibling.
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On the horizon, the sun blooms, the rays are the warmest color of hues, golden and rosy.
He glided gracefully to the edge of the tower, hair falling behind. He looked forward to the grand event.
Bouncing up and down his feet, he reminisced all the times he watched the light show occur. The flares of light reflecting against the rich, shiny sky. An animalistic figure descends doing twists and twirls. And the day finally arrived once again, on his birthday.
He sat patiently on the ledge, feet rocking back and forth. It was always on the brink of dawn, but despite precedence, he managed. If his older brother knew what he was doing, he surely would’ve earned himself a blow. He wasn’t sure why he despised the ideology of the animals, but he did. He warned him countless times that these “monsters” could possess and take over your whole body, luring anyone and anything to their death. As stupid as it may sound, he believed it. And although he believes his brother, he was captivated by the beauty of the dancing lights. It was breathtaking, and he could never get enough of it. So here he waited, for the show to begin.
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“You smudge it!”
He looks at the mirror that stood tall, watching the shade of blue smudging his outer eye. The animal shook her head and whipped her tail.
“Alluka!”
Alluka was a chameleon he grew to cherish. Her perfectly carved scales, with her tender green tips. She was beautiful.
He will never forget the time he heard deviating noises creeping among the flower pots as he was sweeping the wooden floor. He thought nothing of it at the time, but the noises soon grew louder as he approached the window sill. He’s never encountered another being, nevertheless a human, so he wasn’t prepared for an attack. He’ll just keep his guard up and watch its next move.
He kept his stance steady and awaited the being’s arrival. He held a fist up along with two yoyos at his empty hand. He could see the dew resonating against the leaves as a tiny head peaked out, looking around. Immediately, he swung his yoyos, closing his eyes and hoping it would send the creature tumbling down. Opening one of his eyes, he glanced back at the pot. It was gone. He pumped his fist up in triumphant and laughed. He usually would’ve freaked out and hidden in a corner, but he surprised himself. He was brave enough to fight back, and he succeeded, beat that Illumi!
Dancing around for a bit, celebrating his victory, he pauses and resumes his work. Picking up the forgotten broom, he looked back and shrieked. The animal dangled on its tail, watching with intensity. He uses the broom to set some distance, but it was no use. The creature slowly crawled towards him, and he was ready to die. He stood there like a statue, waiting for a severe slap or punch to the chest. Instead, he felt something slimy slither up his arm. He tensed, maybe acid? Maybe it’ll skin him alive and pour lemons? Ouch, that would be painful.
He furrowed his eyebrows as the slimy consistency made his way up to his cheek, resting in that position. Should he look? No, what if it angers the creature? He’ll die anyway, so why not look?
He was greeted with aquamarine eyes, looking skeptically at his face. He didn’t sense any hostility or bitterness, causing him to drop his shoulders.
Examining with equal interest, he learned that the creature was no harm as it was ten times smaller than him. He plucked it off his skin, placing it on one of the flower petals. He waved, squinting his eyes. And from that, he wasn’t quite sure how their friendship evolved, but it did, and he was glad.
“You’re not going to fix it, are you?” She looks at him and smiles. She crawls her way up, bringing a napkin along. Licking the napkin and shoving it on his face, attempting to “clean up.”
“Ow! Be more careful, will you!” He pushed the chameleon off, sending the small animal plunging. Dramatically, Alluka wails in pain, stretching her flimsy limbs. “Oh, get over yourself!” He bends down and picks her up, laying her on his shoulder. “You ruined my facepaint. Don’t go victimizing yourself.” He chastises before she sticks her tongue out. He sighs.
“Do you think he would let me see the animals?” Alluka shrugs her shoulder. He’s been talking about the lights non-stop. Ever since the date was approaching, it was the only thing that’s on his mind. He’d ask every year, and it was always the same answer: “No.”
But this year, it’ll be different.
“Should I ask him?” The chameleon nods her head enthusiastically. “Okay, I will. He will say yes. I just feel it!” He smiles until he heard the familiar voice linger in his ear.
“Killua, let down your hair!”
“Coming, brother!” He stumbles on his hair, running to the window, Alluka scurrying away. “Don’t let him see you, Alluka.” He warns before tossing his hair on top of the hook, tying a knot. His hair dives down, reaching the grassy field.
A tug pulls on his hair, signaling the passenger was ready. He drags his hair as far as he could, sustaining the weight that he holds in his arms. He pulls his brother up and over the ledge graciously.
“Oh, little brother, I’m still mesmerized by how you can do it.” Illumi pats his head, staring at his face. “What’s on your face, by the way.”
“It’s just some paint…” He mumbles, scrubbing at his face.
“It looks horrible on you.” His brother says, walking past him.
“I know. I was going to wash it off.” He laughs nervously, grabbing a cloth and wetting it. He averts his gaze back to Alluka’s hiding place, wondering if she’s okay.
He finishes washing his face, looking back at his older brother. Illumi had always gone out bright in the mornings to do “errands.” However, he never mentioned where he went.
His older brother only showed signs of determination and bravery, which he idolized. He never feared the monsters, the gangs, or the people who lived outside the tower. Even the animals that could tear him to shreds. Every aspect of his brother was heroic. He sacrificed so much for him, and he felt like he was taking it for granted.
Illumi raised and protected him, keeping him safe with the thick, brick walls, while his mother and father left him with no thought.
He ingrained the depiction of being worthless, soulless. Humanity feared him but yet wanted him. They desired him for his profuse, lengthy hair: but wanted to execute him, for what reason, who knows? But he believed it. He grew up with that mentality, believing whatever sauntered beyond the tower had nothing but malice. So he trusted no one but his dear old brother, Illumi. And Alluka.
He watches Alluka give him a glimpse, quirking her head to his brother. He gave her a confused look as she placed her palm on her face. She tries explaining through hand movement but to no avail. After a few more gestures, his head perks up. Right!
“So I was thinking—”
“Have you ever tried red peppers? I’m sure you’ll like them.”
“Um, no? Anyways, brother—”
“Do you mind singing for me? I feel a bit tired.”
“Yes, of course! Right away!” He grabs two comforts, placing them in front of the firepit—bringing his brother along. He picks up a brush and sets his brother down, adjusting the seats to his liking.
“Flower, gleam, and glow. Let your power shine. Make the clock reverse. Bring back what once was mine.” He sang quickly and swiftly. Maybe now his brother will give him his attention. “Anyways, as I was saying. You know my birthday is in a few days, so,” He fiddles with his finger, interwinding and unwinding, turning to him. Just say it. “Can I go see the lights, the one that floats in the sky, I mean?” Illumi looks at him with wide eyes, quickly dissolving in pity.
“Killua, my sweet little Killua.” He tucks a strand of hair behind his ear, lifting his chin. “We’ve talked about this.”
“I know, but—”
“Shh.” Caressing his face, he continues. “The demons remember? They’ll haunt you and eat you alive.” He shivers, but not as harshly like he used to.
His brother always sat him down and reminded him of the dangers of the outside; “humanity was the root of evil.” At six years old, he had to learn the hard truth.
Everyone hated him.
Luckily, they weren’t the ones who caught the disease of hatred. Illumi only wants the best for him, right?
“I know! You can come with me! It’s always been my dream, you know?” He slips out of his brother’s grip, walking to the hook. Spreading his arms, he announces, “Look at the beauty! The flowers, the mountains, the possibility of the oceans. Everything is just so pretty.”
“You are naive, aren’t you? Illumi swings his arms around him. “I used to be the same as you. Father always warned and warned me, but I ignored him. I was ignorant, I’ll admit, but that almost led me to my downfall, and I won’t just stand by letting my little brother do the same.”
“But brother I—”
“Killua, don’t you get it?” You’re never leaving, simple!” His brother never raised his voice at him. It startles him. The tears well up in his eyes, creating a lump in his throat. He shouldn’t cry now, not in front of his brother; it’ll show weakness.
“Of course. I’m sorry for asking something so foolish.” He faces away from his brother, sniffing and wiping his nose. “Would you mind getting face paint then?”
“Killua, are you insane? That’s a three-day journey!”
“I know, I know. But you’re always telling me to be more knowledgeable, asking me to read the books you left me—and I did. The “face paint” is called makeup.” Using his back palm to rub his tears, he proceeds. “I just thought it might’ve been a better idea than the stupid floating lights…”
“Alright...but promise me you’ll be safe.” Illumi sticks out his pinky, softening his aura.
“I promise.” He says, connecting their pinky’s, giving a hard shake. “I’ll pack up for you.” His brother nods and disappears to his room, leaving him all alone. And as soon as he left, his poker face vanished. He let the tears cascade down his face, drenching the cloth he held earlier. All he wanted was to go outside, just for one second. To feel the grass tingle between his toes, the fragrance of flowers: prancing around the air. He just wants to feel alive. But there was no time for complaining, as he had to pack his brother’s basket, making sure it would last three days.